Baggage tags



p 1962 R. T. FERGUSON, JR 3,052,051

BAGGAGE TAGS Filed May 24, 1961 INVENTOR ATTORNEY United State This invention relates to tags as generally used in connection with identifying and thereafter claiming baggage or the like. Such tags generally involve a main body having a looped connection string thereon. They also usually include a detachable section. The main body and the detachable section generally have the same identifying number. In practice, the main body is connected to the baggage by the string while the detachable section is given to the owner who may, upon arriving at his destination for example, claim his baggage.

One of the difliculties involved in handling a large number of baggage tags of the above type is that the string generally becomes entangled with other strings or with the main body as when such tags are packaged and in the possession of a large user. Accordingly, a large user of such tags, e.g., an airline, has considerable difiiculty disentangling the strings. The above is a principal objection of such strings although there are other difficulties which occur in the use thereof.

It has been proposed to use metal wires, at least in single section tags, which can be bent over the tag and thus held in place. This is objectionable not only because of the increase of cost but the wire is not of loop form and may become disengaged from the baggage. Further such an expedient may distort the tag sections if used with two section tags as involved here.

With the foregoing in mind, I have devised a looped form string which is elastic and extensible and which, in extended or expanded form, may be engaged and locked within a notch on the main body of the tag. Accordingly, the string cannot interfere with handling of the tag and cannot become entangled with other strings. Further, the connection of the detachable section is not endangered.

The invention will be further understood from the following description and drawing in which the single FIG- URE is an elevational View showing a tag of this invention.

Referring to the drawing, the tag comprises a generally rectangular main body section 10 and a detachable lower section 11. The general structure of the tag is conventional, comprising as it does an upper central hole 12 for receiving the string as will hereinafter be described, an optional second hole 13 by which the tag may be hung on a spindle, and a scored line 14 so as to facilitate detaching of the lower or claim tag section 11.

String 15 is inserted through hole 12 and a knot 16 is tied at the lower end thereof so as to render the string of loop form. String 15 is of conventional elastic material and may comprise a rubber core covered with fabric or the like. One lower corner of the main body 10 is atent Patented Sept. 4, 1962 formed with a semi-circular cut-out 17 which serves as an anchoring notch.

Referring to the broken line representation of string 15, such representation indicates the normal length of the looped string. This is somewhat less than the direct distance between hole 13 and notch 17. For example, the length of the looped form of string 15 maybe about 3 /2 inches while the distance between hole 13 and notch 17 may be 4 inches. This would require the string 15 to be expanded about /2 inch whereby it may be firmly retained or anchored in notch 17, the knot 15 helping both in grasping the string and depositing it in place, as well as releasing it when desired.

It is important that the notch 17 be formed on the body 10 or above scored line 14. If it were formed on the claim tag section 11, it would encourage bending of the tag sections along scored line 14, which is to be avoided. By disposing the notch 17 at a bottom corner of the body 10 as shown, the looped string 15 may be of suflicient normal length to serve its purpose, while being engageable, in its extended form, by the notch 16.

There has been shown what is now considered a preferred embodiment of the invention but it is obvious that changes and omissions may be made without departing from its spirit.

What is claimed is:

1. A tag comprising a main body section and a lower detachable section connected thereto, said main body sec tion having a hole formed therein, an elastic, expansible string in looped form disposed through said hole, and a notch in said main body section for engaging said string when expanded and for anchoring said string in a predetermined, expanded position.

2. A tag according to claim 1 and wherein said string is formed with a knot at one end thereof, said knot being engageable by said notch.

3. A tag according to claim 1, and wherein said lower section is separated from said main body section by a scored line so as to be readily detachable therefrom, said notch being disposed above said scored line.

4. A tag according to claim 3 and including a knot formed on one end of said looped string, said knot being engageable by said notch.

5. A tag comprising a rectangular main body section, a lower detachable section connected thereto by a scored line, said main body section being formed with a hole at the upper central portion thereof, and with a semi-circular notch at a lower end corner thereof, an elastic, looped, expansible string disposed through said hole, the normal length of said string being less than the direct distance from said hole to said notch whereby said string may be anchored by said notch in expanded form and above said scored line.

Porter Apr. 20, 1920 Marshall May 24, 1960 

